15-year-old boy dies after being attacked by youths in Birmingham

Group ‘set upon’ boy in Handsworth area

The boy was attacked on Linwood Road (Google Maps)

A 15-year-old boy has died after he was attacked by a group of youths in Birmingham.

West Midlands Police have launched a manhunt for the culprits.

The force said the boy was “set upon” by the group in Linwood Road in the Handsworth area just after 3.30pm on Thursday.

He was taken to hospital but died from his injuries a short time later.

Witnesses said they heard shots and the suspects were armed with knives.

The suspects fled in a white car, which crashed a short distance away in Wheeler Street, police added.

No arrests have been made.

Detective Chief Inspector Alastair Orencas, from the homicide team, who is leading the inquiry, said: "This level of violence in broad daylight on a residential street is inconceivable, let alone the fact that the target was a 15-year-old boy.

"We are leaving no stone unturned in our search for those responsible and I ask anyone who knows who they are to contact us.

"The family of the boy has had the worst shock imaginable today and we have specialist officers with them in their time of grief."

Officers are speaking to witnesses and checking CCTV in the area. The car has also been seized for forensic examination.

Anyone witnesses should contact police on 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.